Sister Rose Bernadette Fitzsimons, a Franciscan nun, said goodbye this weekend during a farewell Mass to the parishioners of St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church. With her departure comes the end of the 108-year tenure of the Franciscan Sisters at the historically African-American West Baltimore parish."It's difficult, to be the last person to put the key in the door of the convent, with no one else to follow," said Sister Rose, 56, who has been working as assistant principal in the school and as a pastoral associate in the parish.

Joseph Claver Richardson, a retired teacher and World War II veteran who was the patriarch of a family of nearly 60 children and grandchildren, died of cardiac arrest related to asthma Jan. 8 at Sinai Hospital. He was 89 and lived in Walbrook Junction. Born in Baltimore and raised on Madison Avenue, he attended St. Peter Claver and St. Pius V schools. According to a 1944 Afro-American article, he had been recommended for ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood by Archbishop Michael J. Curley.

On Saturday, January 14, 2006, ROBERT REGINALD LEE of Ridge, MD., father of Robert Garrett Lee of Hampstead, MD, Gregory Lamont Lee of Norwich, CT, grandfather of five and great-grandfather of two. Friends received at St. Peter Claver Church, 16922 St. Peter Claver Road, St. Inigoes, MD 20684 on Thursday, January 19, 2006 from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, January 20, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. St. Peter Claver Church. Inurnment at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter Claver Church, P.O. Box 240, St. Inigoes, MD 20684.

The Rev. Henry Robert Harper, a Josephite priest who was an associate pastor of St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church, died March 29 at the University of Maryland Medical Center of complications from a fall he suffered at his West Baltimore church rectory. He was 86. Born on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, he was the son of a physician and a rear admiral in the Navy's 3rd Medical District. He was educated in parochial schools in Washington, D.C., and was a 1942 graduate of the Georgetown Preparatory School.

On August 21, 2008 FRANCIS X. LEE. Friends may visit at the family owned MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Ave. on Thursday after 8:30 a.m. The family will receive friends on Friday 10:30 at St. Peter Claver, 1546 N. Fremont Ave. Funeral Service to follow 11 a.m.

On May 7, 2005. Friends may call at the FAMILY OWNED MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, 4300 Wabash Avenue on Wednesday after 8:30 A.M., where the family will receive friends from 3 P.M. until 7 P.M. Family will also receive friends on Thursday at St. Peter Claver, 1546 N. Fremont Avenue at 10 A.M. followed by Funeral Mass 10:30 A.M. See www.marchfh.com

On February 21, 2007 MADELINE M. Friends may call at the family owned MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Avenue on Wednesday after 8:30 a.m. where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. The family will also receive friends at St. Peter Claver, 1546 Fremont Avenue on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m.

On February 26, 2009, MARIE A. BYRD; loving sister to Marion Johnson. She is also survived by three nephews and six nieces and a host of other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends at the family owned WYLIE FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 638 N. Gilmor Street, on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Services will be held Friday at the St. Peter Claver, 1526 N. Fremont Avenue, 9:30 a.m. wake; 10:00 a.m. funeral. Interment following. Inquiries at www.wyliefh.com.

On August 21, 2008 FRANCIS X. LEE. Friends may visit at the family owned MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Ave. on Thursday after 8:30 a.m. The family will receive friends on Friday 10:30 at St. Peter Claver, 1546 N. Fremont Ave. Funeral Service to follow 11 a.m.